Key Changes to Same-Sex Relationships
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What are the changes?
The Australian Government has introduced changes to remove discrimination against same-sex couples and their children from Commonwealth law.
These changes extend the department's recognition of same-sex couples and their children for migration and citizenship purposes, resulting in same-sex de facto partners having the same rights and responsibilities as opposite-sex de facto partners.
Important: The information contained on this page does not replace legal advice. For specific information relating to these changes, please refer to the Notices of Legislation Change.
See: All Notices of Legislation Changes
When will changes take effect?
15 March 2009
- Immigration (Guardianship of Children) Act 1946 (IGOC Act)
- Australian Citizenship Act 2007 (Citizenship Act).
1 July 2009
- Immigration (Education) Act 1971 (IEA)
- Migration Regulations 1994 (Regulations)
- Migration Act 1958 (Migration Act).
More information on the same-sex changes
Migration changes for same-sex relationships
More information on same-sex changes and migration is available on the department's website.
See: Migration Changes Same-Sex Relationships
Citizenship changes for same-sex relationships
More information on same-sex changes and citizenship is available on the department's website.
See: Key Changes to Citizenship Same-Sex Relationships
Other Commonwealth law changes for same-sex relationships
More information on same-sex changes and other Commonwealth laws is available on the Attorney General's website.
See: Same-Sex Reforms
Visa applications lodged prior to 1 July 2009
Spouse and Interdependency visa applications
Information on Spouse (subclass 309/100 and 820/801) or Interdependency (subclass 310/100 and 826/814) visa applications that were lodged before 1 July 2009 is available.
See: Spouse or Interdependency Visa applications
Other visa applications
For information on the same-sex changes and applications for visas other than Spouse or Interdependency visas that were lodged before 1 July 2009, please contact your case officer or nearest departmental office.
See: Contact Us
General information
For more information regarding same-sex changes or other general queries, please contact the department.
See: Contact Us